Page 208 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

also includes illegal and unlawful actions intended to harm others. The term

bullying is defined as an intentional act or behaviour of aggression carried
out repeatedly over a long period by an individual/group with the victim

unable to defend himself or herself (Falla, Dueñas-Casado & Ortega-Ruiz,

2023; Hinduja & Patchin, 2014). Bullying which is part of the broad class
of aggressive behaviour can occur at least once in a person's lifetime and

can take different forms depending on age. The characteristics by which it
is defined are intentionality, persistence and power imbalance (Patrizi &

Biasi, 2017). Intentionality means that the behavioural abuse is carried out

consciously and voluntarily by the aggressor (bully) with the specific intent
to cause harm to the victim. Persistence indicates that the offending actions

are not sporadic or isolated, but are repeated over time, having a continuous
character. Both the elements characterise aggressor’s behaviour while the

power imbalance symbolised in the situation underlies an asymmetry in the
relationship that derives from a different physical strength or greater social,

familial or intellectual prestige.

In general, three types of aggressive behaviour overlaid with direct and

indirect ways in which bullying behaviours occur can be identified such as

physical, verbal, and relational aggression. Physical aggression includes
bodily harm; verbal aggression is the most common modality and manifests

itself through threats, insults, and mockery; and relational aggression which
is more subtle and difficult to detect, is applied through negative words,

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